Severe thunderstorm risk for northern and eastern Australia including Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra

Damaging storms forecast for much of northern and eastern Australia could bring strong winds and heavy rainfall, and could down trees and powerlines. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/Reuters

Much of northern and eastern Australia faces a risk of severe thunderstorms on Saturday afternoon and evening, with millions of people potentially in the firing line.

“It’s another severe thunderstorm outbreak for eastern parts of the country. It could be an active one,” said Angus Hines, senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology on Saturday.